Newton Fire/EMS Chief Corey told the City Commission that the department ran just over 4,300 calls for service in 2024, about 84% of which were EMS calls, and that sustained increases in call volume are stretching the department's capacity.

"Newn Fire EMS is set up to run 3 EMS calls simultaneously or 1 structure fire at any given time," Chief Corey said. He reported that Station 1 handles roughly 40% of calls, that the department covers 250 square miles of EMS district and just over 100 square miles of fire district, and that in 2024 the department averaged just over 12 calls per day.

The chief said the department recorded 376 "third-out" incidents in 2024 — calls that left the system at or above capacity — and that simultaneous calls are a growing operational concern. He warned that ambulance and fire apparatus lead times and prices have risen sharply since 2017: a new ambulance that cost $189,000 in 2017 recently cost more than $350,000, and vendors are quoting 2–3 years for ambulances and 3–4 years for fire apparatus.

Why it matters: Newton's EMS is funded in part by transport reimbursements tied to Medicare/Medicaid and other payers. Chief Corey said reimbursement rates do not cover costs: "of all the reimbursement we get from EMS billing, only 41% of the revenue covers our actual expenses." He described a payer mix of 58% Medicare, 14% Medicaid, 16% private insurance and roughly 12% self-pay, and noted Medicare/Medicaid rate changes earlier in the year had provided some relief.

The presentation included projections for the municipal equipment reserve, which the chief said are adequate for the next couple of years but show a shortfall beginning in 2029 (he referred to an estimated six‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar shortfall and worsening thereafter). He urged commissioners to consider additional support as economic development projects bring more industry and people to Newton.

Discussion and direction: Commissioners asked about mutual aid and preparedness for specialty fires in neighboring communities. Chief Corey described standing automatic aid agreements with Halsted, Heston and Sedgwick and said the department puts Heston on standby when they reach a third-out; if Heston is unavailable they contact Halsted and then Sedgwick. A commissioner raised concern about lithium‑ion battery fires at a Halsted facility, and Chief Corey said those incidents may require specialized tactics and protective equipment and should be the subject of further interagency training.

The chief also emphasized recruitment challenges: nationwide shortages, competition between departments, sign-on incentives and lateral hires are all making hiring difficult. He urged maintaining competitive wages and equipment for retention.

Ending: The chief asked commissioners to factor Fire/EMS needs into longer-term budget and growth conversations so Newton can maintain response capacity as the city attracts new industry.